Anticonvulsant activity of methanol leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia Lam (Ulmaceae) in chicks and mice
Abstract
Background: Celtis integrifolia commonly known as (African Hackberry) and locally called Zuwo in Hausa, is a medicinal plant whose root, leaves and bark are used in northern Nigeria in the treatment epilepsy.
Objective: The study evaluated the anticonvulsant activity of the methanol leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia in chicks and mice.
Methodology: Preliminary phytochemical screening and acute toxicity studies were carried out. The anticonvulsant activity of methanol leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was assessed using maximal electroshock seizure test in chicks, pentylenetetrazole, 4-aminopyridine and strychnine tests in mice.
Results: Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and glycosides were detected in Celtis integrifolia, while the interperitoneal median lethal dose was estimated to be 2,154 mg/kg in mice. The methanol leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia significantly (p < 0.01) delayed onset of seizure induced by MES and provided 20.0% protection to chicks at 200 mg/kg dose. The onset of seizure behavior and latency to death was significantly (p < 0.01) increased by the extract, while 16.7 and 33.3% protection (200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively) was conferred to mice against pentylenetetrazole induced seizure. The extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg protected 50.0% of mice against 4-Aminopyridine induced seizure and significantly (p < 0.01) delayed onset of seizure behavior. The extract did not show any activity in the strychnine induced seizure model.
Conclusion: The study shows that Celtis integrifolia methanol leaf extract possess anticonvulsant activity, thus lending credence to the ethnomedicinal claim for the use of the plant in the management of epilepsy.
Keywords: Celtis integrifolia, anticonvulsant, maximal electroshock seizure, pentylenetetrazole, 4-aminopyridine
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